A mountain bike team set up by two friends has now been ranked 26th in the world.

Waltham Abbey friends Paul Beales, 29, and Will Cooper, 28, formed The Orange Monkey Pro Mountain Bike Team ten years ago when their nearest race team folded.

The determined duo and the rest of the team recently returned from the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Europe where they managed to improve their rank seven places from 33rd in the world.

Team manager Paul Beales said that he was particularly pleased considering they have only been professional for three years.

He said: “We had the idea of trying to improve racing in the UK as it was on a slump.

“The team became professional in 2010 and hasn’t looked back. We are aiming to continue improving and promoting mountain biking in the UK and moving to become one of the best teams in the world.”

Despite being a relatively new club the Orange Monkey bikers have had support from both residents and business owners in Waltham Abbey.

Parsons Restaurant has recently offered them sponsorship to help them to continue to travel the world.

Mr Beales, a former King Harold Academy student, said that their success has been down to hard work and support from the wider community.

The team will now head to a British series race in Shropshire before another World Cup on the tough course in Val Di Sole, Italy.

They have big races in September with world championships in South Africa and a 5 day stage race in Malaysia.

To find out more or to track their progress, visit www.myorangemonkey.com.